Impact recap & reactions: Willie Mack was his own worst enemy against Eric Young

The latest episode of Impact Wrestling (Aug. 11, 2020) featured Willie Mack attempting revenge on Eric Young, Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz bringing the heat in no DQ, and Brian Myers (fka Curt Hawkins) answering the open challenge of Eddie Edwards.

This was also the go-home show to Emergence next Tuesday. The card so far includes:

Emergence - Night 1 (Aug. 18):

• Kylie Rae vs Taya
• TNA Heavyweight Championship: Moose (c) vs Trey Miguel
• X-Division Championship: Chris Bey (c) vs TJP vs Rohit Raju
• Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs Ace Austin & Madman Fulton
• Tag Team Championship: Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs The North

Emergence - Night 2 (Aug. 25):

• World Championship: Eddie Edwards (c) open challenge
• Knockouts Championship: Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs Jordynne Grace in a 30-minute iron man match

Let’s roll through last night’s episode from beginning to end.

The show opened with a recap of last week when Eric Young attacked the retiring Rich Swann. It transitioned into Willie Mack brawling with EY backstage. They were scheduled for a match, but Mack couldn’t wait. The brawling eventually reached the ring, and the opening bell sounded.

Josh Mathews and Madison Rayne handled commentary duties.

Eric Young defeated Willie Mack. This was a full match even after all the brawling. Mack’s lust for revenge cost him in the end. He was in control after hitting a stunner. Mack was indecisive about whether to go for the frog splash and win or attack with a chair to injure EY. Mack chose the chair, but he took too long stalling. Mack placed the chair on EY’s ankle then climbed the turnbuckles. Young sprang up to knock Mack down and win with a piledriver.

The Good Brothers threatened two security goons about the whereabouts of Ace Austin and Madman Fulton. They didn’t receive any information.

Wrestle House, part 1. Taya tried for another group activity by watching Taya’s Greatest Hits. Taya noticed that Cousin Jake and Susie were missing. Cody Deaner and Alisha Edwards covered for them by claiming they had the runs. Jake and Susie were actually getting ready for a date.

In the Impact Zone, Reno Scum ambushed Rhino. They jacked the cash for Hernandez. Rhino fought back to reclaim his greenbacks, but Reno Scum came out on top in the end. They snatched the money roll and split.

Jordynne Grace defeated Kimber Lee. Lee’s scheme to take out Grace in exchange for a Knockouts title shot did not go as planned. It was a physical bout. Lee took control by targeting Grace’s leg. Lee went high-risk for a swanton, but Grace got her knees up. Grace swiftly applied a rear naked choke to win.

Locker Room Talk with Madison Rayne. The show got its first sponsor, Heath pushing #Heath4IMPACT.

RVD and Katie Forbes were the guests. They began making out, so Rayne left. Sami Callihan hacked in and attacked RVD. Katie’s big legs gave big kicks to Sami to take him down. RVD and Katie stomped on Sami.

Dezmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz were wondering where Trey Miguel has been. Suicide walked up, but it was actually Trey having fun. Moose approached to offer Suicide a title shot invitation. Moose already beat Suicide twice, but the third time could be the charm for Suicide to win the TNA Heavyweight Championship. Moose was unaware that Trey was actually under the mask. He still may not know.

Wrestle House, part 2. Crazzy Steve noticed Rosemary’s jealousy of John E. Bravo massaging Taya’s shoulders. Their little chat put a plan into Rosemary’s mind. She blew pixie dust into Larry D’s face. That caused Larry to become infatuated with Rosemary in an attempt to make Bravo jealous. Acey Romero noticed something was odd about Larry and became angry when Larry passed up on food. Match time!

Larry D defeated Acey Romero. The big boys got at it. Larry won with a knockout punch. He tried to impress Rosemary, and Bravo took notice.

Back in the Impact Zone, Deonna Purrazzo believes that Grace is more bitter and violent than ever. That is behavior not becoming of a champion. Grace does have a rematch clause, so Purrazzo upped the stakes to a 30-minute iron man match at Emergence.

A promo package hyped The North’s title rematch against the Motor City Machine Guns at Emergence. Both teams discussed their accomplishments and will battle to see who is the greatest in Impact.

No DQ: Kiera Hogan & Tasha Steelz defeated Havok & Nevaeh. All kinds of plunder were available. Chairs, a steel rod, a stop sign, and a table were used.

Hogan and Steelz employed a strategy of double teaming Nevaeh, while preventing Havok from entering the ring by continually knocking her off the apron. Havok would eventually clean house, but Hogan and Steelz were one step ahead in the end. After bashing Nevaeh with a street sign, Hogan hit a swinging fisherman’s neckbreaker to pin Nevaeh.

The Good Brothers found Scott D’Amore. He didn’t know where Ace and Madman were. The Good Brothers are going to the ring and won’t leave until they get their hands on those two.

Moose was walking backstage when an EC3 promo played on the wall. EC3 is here for one reason. He will destroy Moose. It’s not about Moose personally but what he represents as TNA Heavyweight Champion. Moose has been warned.

Dez vs Suicide ended in a no contest. The Good Brothers stormed the ring during this match. They hit the Magic Killer on Suicide. Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows were ready to wait all night, then Ace and Madman appeared on the big screen. The match will be at Emergence. The Good Brothers were satisfied.

Rohit Raju talked his way into a triple threat X-Division bout. He claimed he would have Chris Bey’s back against TJP. Bey accepted the suggestion while laughing off Rohit as a threat and also not entirely trusting him.

Brian Myers is the most professional wrestler.

Wrestle House, part 3. Jake and Susie enjoyed their date then Susie flashed her Su Yung side. Jake ran away with the runs. Alisha Edwards was confused how Susie blew it. They argued about Alisha’s advice being bad. Match time!

Susie defeated Alisha Edwards. Susie won with elbow strikes then a roll-up.

After the match, Taya and Kylie Rae trash-talked about the #1 contendership. Match time! Not so fast. Taya brushed it off until next week at Emergence. It is unclear if they will wrestle in the Impact Zone or at Wrestle House.

World Championship open challenge: Eddie Edwards retained against Brian Myers. Edwards wanted Eric Young, but Myers stepped up instead. He claimed the title was just a belt in Edwards’ hands but would become a championship in his hands.

Commentary put over the weekly grind of open challenges wearing down Eddie’s body. Myers added to the pain by smashing Edwards’ shoulder into the ring post. Edwards also hurt his knee on a suicide dive. In the end, Edwards had Myers number with a Boston Knee Party.

---

Impact had been in a lull over the past few weeks, but this episode was back to form. The matches in the Impact Zone were good with hard-fought fire. I even enjoyed Wrestle House. The date storyline was amusing. Too bad for Jake that Su Yung flashed up. At least, he’ll always have his mirror dancing to lift his spirits.

The way Mack lost came across as awkward, but it made sense in the story. He wanted retribution for his buddy, Rich Swann. It also keeps the door open for a bigger rematch, since Mack basically beat himself.

Kiera Hogan and Tasha Steelz picking up the win was surprising. It felt like the story was being laid out for the uppity pipsqueaks to eat their tough talk. They fought smart by keeping Havok out of the picture. That quality win showed Hogan and Steelz should be the top contenders if a tag team championship comes back for the Knockouts.

Eddie Edwards outclassed Brian Myers. Myers had a DDT near the end, but it never felt like he might pull off the shocking upset. Myers does have my curiosity about where “the most professional wrestler” will go from here. Myers could take exception to RVD’s lifestyle as not professional, but that would mean he loses again. Perhaps a winning feud against Rohit Raju would be in order.

Share your thoughts on Impact Wrestling. Who stole the show? What would you like to see Brian Myers do next?

---